Patriots are reportedly signing two wide receivers
Both were in Foxborough for workouts Monday.
In an effort to bolster their receiver depth, the Patriots Tuesday signed Corey Coleman, a former first-round draft pick, and Bennie Fowler, according to reports.
The #Patriots are signing former first-round WR Corey Coleman, I’m told. A huge opportunity for Coleman to restart his career catching passes from Tom Brady.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2018
The Patriots are signing former Broncos WR Bennie Fowler, per league source. More WR depth in New England.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 11, 2018
Both were in Foxborough for workouts Monday.
Coleman, who was drafted 15th overall out of Baylor in 2016, spent the first two years of his career with the Browns before Cleveland traded him to Buffalo this preseason. He failed to make the Bills’ final roster this season.
Coleman, 24, has 56 receptions for 718 yards and five touchdowns in 19 games (18 starts) through his first two seasons.
The Patriots receiving corps now includes three former first-round picks: Coleman, Phillip Dorsett (29th overall, 2015), and Cordarrelle Patterson (29th overall, 2013).
Fowler spent the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos. Undrafted out of Michigan State in 2014, Fowler has 56 career receptions for 698 yards and five touchdowns, including 29 catches for 350 yards and three TDs last season. Fowler was on the receiving end of Peyton Manning’s final pass — a 2-point conversion in Super Bowl 50.
Coleman, a 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound deep threat, broke his hand during his rookie season and missed six weeks. He broke the same hand again last season, requiring surgery and a stint on injured reserve.
Coleman played three seasons for Baylor and holds the program record for career touchdown receptions (33) and single-season touchdown catches (20). He rolled up 3,009 yards and 33 touchdowns on 173 career catches, and 651 yards and a touchdown on 25 career kickoff returns.
In his final season in 2015, Coleman earned unanimous All-America honors and was named the Biletnikoff Award winner, which is given to the top receiver in college football.
The Patriots still have one open roster spot, and they might need to use it on a punt returner. Fowler has returned one in his NFL career, Coleman none.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Eric Murray tackles Chicago Bears wide receiver Bennie Fowler.
